When you decide it’s time to buy a home, you’ll want to compare mortgage companies and look at what kind of interest rate and terms they can offer you. The purchasing process can be long and tedious, but if you’re prepared, the transaction can be a smooth one.

As the buyer, you’ll be required to provide a significant amount of information throughout the entire home buying process. This is a comprehensive list of documents you’ll need to provide, but depending on your lender, there may be additional materials they’ll request from you.

In general, the documentation you will need includes:

• Check for application fee

Property Information

(If you already have a Contract on a House)

• Purchase Agreement.
• Copy of legal description and MLS sheet.
• If you are selling your current home, copy of listing contract.
• If you have sold your current home, copy of settlement statement (HUD-1).

Income & Assets

• Pay stubs for the last 30 days.
• Names and addresses of each employer you’ve had over the past 2 years.
• W-2s from the past 2 years.
• Statements for each bank, mutual fund, and/or investment account for the last three months.
• Estimated value of personal property and furniture.

If you have made any large deposits to your accounts, you’ll have to give an explanation as to where the money came from. If large deposit was a gift, you’ll be asked to provide:

• A signed gift letter (lender can supply).
• Copy of the gift check.
• Copy of the deposit receipt.

If you own more than 25% of a business, you’ll be asked to provide:

• Corporate or partnership tax returns.

If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to provide:

• Tax returns for the last three years (with schedules).
• Year-to-Date Profit and Loss Statement prepared by an accountant.

If you own rental property:

• Tax returns for the last two years and current rental agreements.

If you are retired:

• Pension Award Letter.

If you receive Social Security:

• Social Security Award Letter.

If you are counting child support as income:

• Copy of divorce settlement.
• Copy of twelve months of cancelled child support checks.

Debts

• Names, addresses, account numbers, balances and monthly payments on all current loans.

Explanation of credit report anomalies, including:

• Late payments, credit inquiries in the last 90 days, charge-offs, collections, judgments, and/or liens.
• Bankruptcy filed within the last seven years (bring a copy of your bankruptcy papers).

VA Loans

• Copy of DD Form 214, Report of Separation.

Miscellaneous

• Photo ID and proof of Social Security number.
• Residence addresses for the past two years.
• If applicable, a copy of your divorce decree.
• If you are not a citizen, a copy of the front and back of your green card.

When you’re ready to buy a home, it’s hard to know what your best options are financially. There’s a lot of information out there. Understanding it all can be challenging. We’re here to help, and can provide some answers to your mortgage questions. Acquiring a mortgage is a big step, and we’re helping people just like you reach their home-ownership dreams. Contact us today!